Shariy releases video about UOC defenders in America

Shariy recorded a video about the defense of the UOC in America. Photo: Shariy's YouTube channel

Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shariy published an emotional story about the action of Orthodox organizations in the USA in defense of the UOC.

In his video, Shariy detailed meetings with congressmen on Capitol Hill with the participation of more than 200 people, including representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), Serbian, Antiochian Churches, and the Orthodox Church in America.

"It is very shameful that Orthodox Christians in America have to appeal to the American authorities to protect themselves from these devils," Shariy stated, expressing his indignation at the situation.

The well-known blogger noted that the participants of the action demand the repeal of law No. 3894, aimed against the UOC, and the cessation of persecution of the clergy. Shariy paid special attention to the situation of Metropolitan Arseniy, who is being taken to court in handcuffs despite his age and serious health condition.

He emphasized that the authorities treat him as if the sick archbishop is more dangerous than the figures of corruption scandals who are released.

Anatoly Shariy pointed out that a delegation of Orthodox denominations met in mid-November with a member of the US House of Representatives Paulina Luna from the Republican Party. The participants asked the American authorities to ensure that Kyiv respects the rights of believers, repeals the anti-church law, and releases the clergy.

"Think about it, what a disgrace! They have to ask the United States just to provide medical assistance to people who are in custody," Shariy emphasized.

He noted that Orthodox Americans are not advocating for the cessation of military support to Ukraine, but are asking to create control mechanisms so that American funding is not used for oppressing Christians – searches of churches, arrests of clergy, and other repressions.

Shariy emphasized that the Ukrainian authorities have used all media resources to discredit this event. There followed a stream of materials about how Moscow allegedly tries to influence Washington through religious cells.

The blogger also mentioned the interference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which called the participants of the action "agents of the Russian Federation" and made absurd accusations that the UOC supposedly persecutes and kills OCU members. "Of course, there are no such cases. Never have been. The Ecumenical Patriarchate simply lied," Shariy stated.

Concluding the story, the blogger expressed hope that such events "will reach someone" and emphasized his support for Orthodox Christians: "I think that, in any case, the UOC will outlive its detractors. They are trying, by peaceful means, to get through to people in order to tell what is happening in this part of the world."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to a US politician, Zelensky's persecution of the UOC is unacceptable.

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